Authentication packaging for replacement parts

Abstract

The present invention relates to a simple, inexpensive but effective authentication system and package which will enable end users of replacement parts to quickly and easily ascertain the authenticity of the parts contained in the package without necessitating the use of additional authentication equipment. In general, the authentication system for replacement parts of the present invention comprises a package constructed of a multi-layer material such as corrugated cardboard, having located between two of its layers a tear tape. The tear tape is inserted between the layers during manufacture of the multi-layered material and in such a manner that when the material is formed into packages, the tear tape will extend around a substantial portion of the package and cannot be removed without destroying the package or at least rendering it unreusable. Before the tear tape is inserted into the multi-layered material, the tear tape is inscribed or coded with predetermined indicia that is matchable with the part to be contained in the package. Since the tear tape is located between layers of the package material, neither it nor its inscription are visible from either the outside or inside of the package. Once the packaged part reaches its final destination, the end user authenticates the part by removing the tear tape from the package and comparing the inscription to the part contained therein. The manner in which the system is implemented, i.e. by including an operation during the package manufacture which can only be carried out by few companies because of the size and cost of the equipment involved, but which equipment is normally employed during the package manufacture, deters counterfeiting of the replacement parts.

I claim: 
     
       1. An authentication system for verifying the authenticity of a packaged replacement part comprising: a package adapted to contain a replacement part, said package being constructed of a multi-layer material, said multi-layer material comprising at least two layers;   a tear tape adhered between said at least two layers and extending around a substantial portion of said package, said tear tape having printed thereon an inscription, neither said inscription nor said tear tape being visible from an inspection of the package;   said inscription comprising correlating indicia corresponding to said replacement part contained in said package;   said tear tape being removable from said package only by destroying said package or rendering said package unreusable, whereby, when removed, said correlating indicia on said tear tape can be compared with said replacement part to verify its authenticity.   
     
     
       2. The authentication system of claim 1, wherein said at least two layers are made of paper-based stock. 
     
     
       3. The authentication system of claim 1, wherein said multi-layer material is corrugated cardboard comprising a corrugation layer sandwiched between two facing layers, said tear tape being adhered between said corrugation layer and one of said facing layers. 
     
     
       4. The authentication system of claim 1, wherein said tear tape is fabricated of a relatively high tensile strength material as compared with the tear strength of the package. 
     
     
       5. The authentication system of claim 4, wherein said tear tape is separable or delaminatable along its thickness. 
     
     
       6. The authentication system of claim 1, wherein correlating indicia on said tear tape comprises a description of said replacement part contained in said package. 
     
     
       7. The authentication system of claim 1, wherein said replacement part has matching indicia thereon and wherein said correlating indicia is visibly matchable with said matching indicia when said tear tape is removed from said package. 
     
     
       8. The authentication system of claim 7, wherein said matching indicia is a serial number of the replacement part. 
     
     
       9. The authentication system of claim 7, wherein said matching indicia is printed and machine-readable. 
     
     
       10. The authentication system of claim 9, wherein said printed and machine-readable matching indicia is a bar code. 
     
     
       11. An authentication package having an interior and an exterior and containing at least one replacement part in the interior thereof, said authentication package constructed of a multi-layer material having adhered between at least two of said layers of said multi-layer material and extending substantially around a perimeter of the package a tear tape, said tear tape having correlating indicia thereon relating to said at least one replacement part in the interior of said package, neither said correlating indicia nor said tear tape being visible from the exterior or interior of the package; said tear tape being removable from said package by ripping said tear tape therefrom so as to destroy said package or render said package unreusable, said correlating indicia on said tear tape being comparable with said at least one replacement part to verify its authenticity. 
     
     
       12. The authentication system of claim 11, wherein said at least two layers are made of paper-based stock. 
     
     
       13. The authentication system of claim 11, wherein said multi-layer material is corrugated cardboard comprising a corrugation layer sandwiched between two facing layers, said tear tape being adhered between said corrugation layer and one of said facing layers. 
     
     
       14. The authentication system of claim 11, wherein said tear tape is fabricated of a relatively high tensile strength material as compared with the tear strength of the package. 
     
     
       15. The authentication system of claim 14, wherein said tear tape is separable or delaminatable along its thickness. 
     
     
       16. The authentication system of claim 11, wherein correlating indicia on said tear tape comprises a description of said replacement part contained in said package. 
     
     
       17. The authentication system of claim 11, wherein said replacement part has matching indicia thereon and wherein said correlating indicia is visibly matchable with said matching indicia when said tear tape is removed from said package. 
     
     
       18. The authentication system of claim 17, wherein said matching indicia is a serial number of the replacement part. 
     
     
       19. The authentication system of claim 17, wherein said matching indicia is printed and machine-readable. 
     
     
       20. The authentication system of claim 19, wherein said printed and machine-readable matching indicia is a bar code.